Since I’ve moved many of my egg cups to the mantel/shelf in the studio, I rearranged the ones that remain on the shelf in our bedroom. That’s Christie’s framed print that I bought from her when I was working in California. It used to be in the living room, but Don found a little print that he loved and I wanted him to be able to see it from his chair, which was exactly where the rose print was. And that’s how things are moved around here.
And right below the shelf is Mabel, ready for work, but safely tucked away in the bedroom. That plant is yet another of my porch plants that I’ve managed to keep alive this winter. They are stashed all over the house.
I figured out what happened with Scoutie the other night. We’ve had some melting going on around here and it has caused the snow to be uneven and slippery, especially on her paths in the dog corral. Add to that the rain that we got yesterday. The freeze/melt/freeze cycle is not helping at all. Her arthritis has been really bothering her and I’ve watched her in the corral when she slips on the snow and loses her footing. It’s terribly hard for her. Last night, I thought I would take her out on the leash to help guide her (thought I don’t think it ended up doing any good) and I was slipping and sliding everywhere, just as she was. She wouldn’t pee or poop, probably because it was scary and she couldn’t relax enough to take care of business. I took her out onto the driveway, thinking that might be easier, but the damned rain had frozen, so it was very slick and slippery. I ended up taking her back into the corral, where she pooped. But no pee.
That had to have been the problem. She went out that night and was slipping and sliding and didn’t do anything. Since I can’t see her out there with all the frigging mounds of snow, I had no idea she hadn’t done her business. And she simply couldn’t hold it during the night.
It’s going to melt more today and tomorrow and I have no idea what to do. I’ll salt everything today, but this nightmare of a February continues to make things incredibly hard for us. Every time I start to think I can relax, something else happens. I don’t want her hurting and all this walking on uneven surfaces is indeed causing her pain. Do I drive down the road at night and walk her on that private road we used to use? Do I hope the driveway stays free of ice and try walking her there? Will she even go there? Due to the nature of our property, the snow and ice that melt flow downhill to the top of the driveway and it all collects there. If it goes down below freezing, it turns to ice again. An endless cycle.
I went to bed worrying about the whole thing, couldn’t sleep, got only a few hours. I heard Scout moving around at 6:15 and let her out. So no messes occurred last night.
Can I just let out a blood curdling scream? And then can someone magically transport us to a warmer climate for the next two months?
Okay. Another pretty sunset.
A reminder: our Christmas Critter Felt Along party is officially Monday. But the post will be up tomorrow evening, the 23rd, at 6:00 pm. So even though it posts then, it will be Monday’s post. Does that make sense? So don’t be wondering if there’s anything wrong with me if you don’t see a Monday post. Sunday night’s post is Monday’s post.
I’m exhausted just from explaining that.
Happy Saturday.
Those sunset photos are just gorgeous, Claudia! I hear that next week we’re supposed to have below-zero temps every night. Grrrr. I posted a ton of our snow photos from yesterday on my blog this morning. I think you might enjoy them. At least we know we’re not alone in this, right? LOL
I will stop by later and check them out – misery loves company, my friend!
Claudia, I know it’s too late now…but maybe for next year, you could get a bale of straw and when things get slick, throw down some straw for the dog. I sure know what you mean about screaming…last week I had just reached the end of my snow shoveling rope. Soon things will be much better. Sending you some big hugs. Blessings, Susie
I have a bale of straw (now buried by the snow) that we use when it gets really muddy in the spring. I don’t know if it would work with the snow and ice but I should try some.
Yeah, I “wasted” almost $12 on green growing things at the store, yesterday.
Probably won’t take me long to kill them.
Supposed to be very careful with the cash, by my own edict.
I’m unrepentant.
My husband calls February “hunker down month.”
He bears the brunt, driving truck every day in all weathers amongst odd drivers.
I do feel for you, Claudia.
Do you have any friends in the South you & Scout could visit, even for a day or two?
I applaud your husband – I can’t imagine how tough it must be to drive a truck in this crazy weather. With crazy drivers.
Family in Florida – but too far to travel, especially in a 13 year old car!
Here, too. (Rats!)
xo
Poor, poor Scout. It is even harder on pets than it is on us sometimes with this weather situation. I am SO over February AND Winter in general. If we scream at the same time maybe we will both be magically transported to that same warm place. Where are those darn ruby red slippers when you need them? My “home” is in Florida…..click…click…click…..xo Diana
I have my new red shoes. Will they work?
Holy Cow, All I can do is send you a virtual hug from dry dry CA. I hesitate to tell you that our daffodils are blooming, plum trees as well. Oaks are leafing out, and we desperately need rain and a snow pack in the mountains. We’re facing water restrictions and the farmers in the central valley have been told that there will be no water deliveries for their crops this summer. Hay prices have sky rocketed, so cattle are being sold off. There wasn’t enough rain to keep them on pasture through the winter. Latter this spring and summer, fire season will arrive and living with that threat with our home here in the woods is scary. This is our third dry year and the drought conditions continue, even though we have had some rain.
I’ve been making a point of clicking on your ads which is especially fun because the ones I’ve been seeing have to to with cruises and hotels. We’re booked to cruise with Princess to Alaska this summer and have an overnight planned in Seattle first. Both our cruise line and the hotel I’ve been considering have been ads on your blog. I wonder if ‘Blog Her’ keeps track of your blog visitors recent online activities and gears the ads towards those interests…? Otherwise it’s a fun coincidence.
I understand being home while your husband gone and having to deal with everything that comes up. I once replaced our washing machines water pump all by myself with the help of a repair manual. Of course there was the other time when I had a car towed back from Bainbridge Island to our home north of Seattle to await the homecoming. I don’t deal with broken down cars…. (ha). We had a second vehicle, so no problems there. There’re just some things that are too much to deal with. We were in the Navy for twenty years and this was before internet and inexpensive phone connections. Long Distance back then was extremely expensive and we limited our overseas calls to home to once a month. We couldn’t afford more. Letters took two weeks to arrive and another two weeks for an answer. Thankfully times have changed for the better as far as keeping in touch with loved ones while they’re away. Still there is that darn lonesome hole in the heart to deal with. Ah well, take care, write love (e-mail) letters, hack at the ice and snow, and use a heating pad while stitching on the quilt. Keep warm, and take care.
Just goes to show us all that it’s very a tough time no matter where you are in the country. I so wish I could send some of our moisture your way – be it snow or rain. I sure hope things improve, but it’s devastating to witness the effects of the drought. Don’s phone got wet yesterday in a sudden rain, so he’s trying to dry it out in some rice. In the meantime, we skyped last night. Thank goodness for technology!
I think you’ve got it as to why Scout had her ‘peep’ accident. Don’t know if this idea would help in your case, but when we have ice here and it’s hard for the dogs to get off the deck, I have a bunch of old worn out towels that I spread out on top of the ice. My Chloe was attacked as a pup and her back legs don’t operate well so she has a hard time keeping her balance. The towels give the dogs a sturdy footing and make it easier to get out to potty. Easier for human types too ;-)
I could do that for the entrance to the dog corral, but the part of the corral that Scout goes to is too far away for towels to be effective!
Sending you a hug.♥
Thank you, Beverly!
Those sunsets almost make up for the nasty weather, don’t they? Not that you can’t see gorgeous sunsets in warmer climates. I’m just trying to think positive because, like you – in this nasty cold snowy weather – if I don’t, I might just go a tad crazy at this point! haha Spring is ALMOST here, Claudia! Hang in there!
Donna
Almost isn’t enough, Donna!
There’s no salt to be had anywhere around here nor at a fellow blogger friend’s place in New Hampshire so go easy on your salt if you are running low unless you have plenty in the stores around there….
I will. I’ve been trying to be frugal with it, but I have to be able to move around without fear of falling.
Claudia, I picture us all running out into the middle of the road screaming, at some point. I am in Minnesota and we have been told that we should stay off of the road for a few more days – no travel. It’s too cold for the road chemicals to work! My daughter got all of us tickets to see the Broadway cast of Mama Mia! for my birthday,which we cannot attend,now. (She is trying to find someone up in the The Cities that can go and use the tickets.) I totally empathize with you and Scout~
I’m so sorry you have to miss the show, Susan. That’s too bad – this darn weather!
I think the straw idea has merit. Poor Scout. Sending hugs to both of you!
It will just be buried in the snow we have coming on Sunday night….
This ice is the pits!! We have an old piece of indoor-outdoor carpet we cut to the size of a long runner and we throw it onto the deck (over the ice) or the dogs won’t go out. We use straw in our yard when the snow starts to melt to help w/ the mud issues. I wonder if it might help to scatter some of the straw out for Scout as someone else mentioned, or some old pieces of carpet or towels as someone else suggested. It truly takes a village to maneuver through this minefield of a winter we are slogging through, doesn’t it? We are back to zero to below zero temps for another week at least. Screaming doesn’t appear to help, either, and my living room pillows will attest to that.
The problem is that the paths in the dog corral are very long – they cover a lot of ground – and Scout likes to go way back in the corral. There’s just too much space to cover.
Claudia I can so relate to worrying about our pets. My beagle puppy Lolo has gone through the mill this past week. We took her to the university vet school 2 hours away to have a liver biopsy and her spay done at the same time. Her liver bloodwork has showed abnormalities for the past two months. We picked up Lolo yesterday for the 2 hour drive home. Her behavior was odd and you can tell she is very sore – she wouldn’t lay down until 2:30 this morning. I think she’s doing better today but I hate that it is the weekend, the winter, everything. A liver doggie can’t have a lot of meds – the vet assured me the pain killer she is on now is the safest for her but I worry! So much worry about everything these days! Will we ever catch a break???? Hope Scout starts feeling better soon.
Poor Lolo, I hope she is feeling better today, Deb. We worry so much about our pets and hate seeing them feel under the weather. Sending a prayer her way.
Poor Scout! It is kind of hard to relax when you are afraid of falling. When I lived back there I would take potting soil or cat litter (unused) and put it over the ice so the dogs could get some traction. I also like the straw idea. Once the snow/ice melts the soil, etc. will just get absorbed into the ground.
The egg cups look wonderful with that framed rose behind them. It looks timeless.
We all have our weather issues. Here it is so dry I am worried about losing our vineyards due to lack of water. The garden may have to be cut back in size. But then again, we have to eat, and most of what we eat comes from the garden.
I so hope you have a thaw soon!!!
Every place we’ve checked is out of salt – there’s none left! It may come down to some cat litter tomorrow.
I know that many are suffering from a drought and that is just as worrisome.
Be very careful walking on the ice! The week before Christmas I slipped and fell on ice on the concrete driveway and fractured my wrist. I had plans to accomplish several projects in the house this winter. That won’t be happening. Now whenever it gets icy I’m afraid to venture out.
I will. I’m very careful.
Poor Scout, at least you figured it out. I hope things get better soon, this has been one horrible winter for you. I always love seeing your egg cups and just realized we have both have the same one, the wood with the pink flower rim. Did you see my post with the bird egg cup and it’s tail was a salt shaker? I shared it last week. Take care. Linda
I didn’t, Linda. I’ll have to go back and read it. xo
I would tell you to come South and stay with us, but I don’t believe you can leave your property, can you? You have an open invitation, and we have a fenced yard.
You need some of those pee pee pads for times like this. It would help you with Scout. I wish I were there to go get some for you.
Thinking of you, Claudia!
Xo
Sheila
No, have to stay around, Sheila. And our 13 year old car might not like that journey!
That sounds familiar. Our station wagon is 27! She is a trooper, but driving in her for long distances gets a little dicey sometimes. Like the time we had to drive four hours home with a clip holding something together. I broke down and got a rental car and followed behind in case we got stuck in the Ocala National Forest with the bears. I didn’t relish being dessert.
Just know the invitation is standing for you, Don, and Scout. xoxoxox
Claudia,
What a good and loving Mom you are. We all have
To help our children thru problems, but I dare say,
Few have to help thru age related arthritis.
Hang in there my friend, spring like weather can
And will
Show up very suddenly. Til then lean on me, and many
Of your blogging friends around thee world.
-Judy A-
Thank you, dear Judy.
After reading everyone’s comments today, I have to do my little commercial for Yaktrax. Ever heard of them? I discovered them about 15 years ago & now I won’t be without them in the Winter. In fact over a dozen members of my immediate family have them now too – male & female. Yaktrax are basically traction cleats you attach to the bottoms of shoes or boots [like the rubbers our moms made us wear when we were kids]. The metal cleats dig into ice and snow, making you feel completely sure-footed, as if you’re walking on dry Summer pavement. No kidding. Don’t even need salt with Yaktrax around [a bonus for the environment]. Of course it won’t help Scoutie but it makes getting around much easier for people. Easily foldable to carry in purse or tote. Just Google “Yaktrax.”
I have heard of them. And I’m going to get a pair – but even with them, we’d need salt to get up the driveway in the car and for others to maneuver their way to our door (not to mention Scout!)
Hard enough to walk on ice with two legs let alone four. We have a really long steep driveway, after five years of being here I finally figured …if it snows, I plow, plow, plow. I say I, as I’m the one at home during the day. We can’t salt as it ruins the drive, it being gravel. Why not buy a few bags of kitty litter, cheapest you can find and sprinkle it down where your Scout has to walk, it might help. I moved from the U.K to Upstate NY, why couldn’t my husbands company been somewhere where it didn’t snow…. Keep warm :-)
I may just buy a bag of kitty litter tomorrow.
Honey..if you feel like letting out a blood curdling scream..open up and let it out!!..Let me know when you are going to do it and I will poke my head out the window to see if I can hear you down here in PA..lol..I think you should try the straw for Scout too..poor baby..Maybe she would like to join you in that scream!
Oh, I think you might hear me down in PA!
At the end of your crazy days your sunsets are beautiful. Poor Scout there is nothing worse than walking on uneven surfaces when you have arthritis. I have to admit we are having a beautiful day today. 61 degrees and sunny. Just got back from a walk which was heavenly, but boy am I out of shape. I see a lot of walking in my future after the polar vortex roars in again in a few days). Stay dry and warm, my friend. xo Laura
It hit 50 here today – but cold temps are on the way – just as they are for you.
Just a thought, Claudia, about poor Scout. Do you think puppy pads might help? If she used them indoors (or on the porch), cleanup would at last be easier.i feel sorry for both of you out there slipping and sliding around, but I’m glad you can still appreciate the beauty of a sunset.
I’ve thought of them, but I don’t know whether she would use them.
Sending a virtual hug to you Claudia. I don’t have any words that would be of any help. I am SO ready for spring too.
Blessings,
Betsy
I join you in that sentiment, Betsy.
When the snow and ice melt I hope to find my keys that I lost in my backyard yesterday. Not one of my more brilliant moves. If you’d like to crack a tiny smile, Claudia, you can pop over and see my foster puss.
Sending you and Scout a hug,
Karen
I noticed your comment with regard to no salt available and that you would be checking on cat litter. Just an F.Y.I. about non-clumping cat litter….it is made up of mostly clay, and it will help with traction, but will track in to the house if you don’t wipe Scouts paws off. Also, when it warms up and starts to melt, it can become quite messy to deal with. Don’t get me wrong, a little mess is well worth the security of safely walking on the ice. I just wanted you to know. We often put “tubes” of sand in our vehicles, here in Minnesota, for the weight for traction and if needed, can cut open the bags to spread out for additional traction. My garbage man just used sand to get his huge truck around a very slippery curve in our complex, so I know it can work. Maybe sand is an option? We can find it at hardware stores or big box home improvement stores. Good luck. I worry about you and Scout. Stay safe.
Hello!!! I didn’t read all of the comments…so I don’t know if this has been mentioned before. Maybe it will help.
Years ago, my beloved German Shepard / Labrador mix, Nellie, got to be 10 years old and really started slowing down. You could see each step was getting harder & harder to take. A friend of ours, a pharmacist, suggested to give her glucosamine and condrotin (not sure if it is spelled right) tabs. She was a big girl, 85 lbs. so we gave her 1 tablet daily. On the second day she easily was able to get up & down from her bed!!! Within a week she was once again able to jump up into the back of the truck…..no way did she want to use the ramp. Two weeks she was back to running after the tennis balls and totally her old self. We continued the therapy and she was able to have 3 more painfree years in her.
Maybe Scoutie could also benefit from this? Nellie, easily took the tabs (like she knew they would help), but you could wrap them in baloney (mmm like somebody NOW will not take them unless!!!!!) if Scout won’t take them.
Good luck!!!! Coming from California I don’t know how you easterners do it!!!! My hats off to you!!!!
Addie
My elderly dogs take glucosamine chondroitin with MSM for their arthritis. They are so much better on it too. No longer painful and they get around so much better. I agree with Addie that Scout would really benefit by taking it too. Claudia, you should try it! It’s not expensive either…..
Winter needs to be over ASAP for all of us!
Gosh, I’ve tried to leave a message a couple of times but my computer keeps saying your site is down. Hope you didn’t get four of the same thing from me previously although it doesn’t look like it printed at all. I hadn’t read the other comments first and was suggesting to just put down newspaper or towels for her, like in a section of the kitchen, and just go with it for awhile; bigger cleanup in the spring. She’s too afraid she’ll get splayed on the ice and fall in her own poop; feeling terribly insecure no doubt…not to mention Dad is gone, you’re stressed, so all’s wrong in Scout’s world, too. Don’t drive out on that road at night! Don’t risk a fall yourself; please! Especially when you’re alone. I’ll be so glad when all of this awful winter weather ceases for you and everyone suffering in it! One thing I thought of was that if you were still in California, you could never display your egg cups on a shelf unless they were ‘glued’ down with museum wax or putty because they’d all fall in an earthquake. I don’t know if you were in California during the Northridge quake (L.A.) but I had a relative who lost her entire Waterford crystal collection when a decorative standing-hutch fell…and it had even been bolted to a stud in the wall (maybe not very well but, anyway, it was a real loss for her).
It’s been really tough for Mollie as well..She only pooped every other day for about 2 weeks..She’s very particular about where she poops..She’ll pee anywhere but has to be walked to do both..She doesn’t go until we are several blocks away from the house..I sympathize..
Poor little girl… I wondered if it was the ice underfoot that made her not want to go out. We have been dancing in the streets the past few days as the roads and pavement are FINALLY clear. There are still mounds of frozen dirty snow in the gardens other side of the road (which doesn’t get much sun) but at least one can walk outside without risking life and limb! I hope it’s the same for you, finally? xx